Mae Wong dam project should be delayed and revised by the government as the project would benefit mostly politicians, government authorities and academics affiliated with politics. Besides the dam can’t solve flooding problem.
Thirteen days – 388km. The anti-dam protest march by conservationist Sasin Chalermlarp ended on Sunday in Bangkok to rousing cheers as his long walk has stirred up a debate on the government's plan to build the Mae Wong Dam, one of the 21 dams planned under the 350 billion baht flood management project.
Starting in Mae Rewa Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakhon Sawan on Sept 10 and ending at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Pathumwan on Sunday, the marathon march, says Sasin, was an attempt to make society pay attention to what protesters believe to be environmental dangers of the planned dams – especially the credibility of the EHIA (Environmental and Health Impact Assessment) report, which they said lacked key information about ecological systems and the possible impact on locals.
Each day while on the march, Sasin, the secretary-general of Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, other conservationists and experts on ecology and water management, held public forums and met with local people, where they all shared information and comments. The march built up momentum in its final stretch, when Sasin entered Bangkok on Saturday and was joined by a few thousand supporters.
Meanwhile, pro-dam villagers and government have come out to insist on the necessity of the dams in the flood prevention scheme.
This unusual form of protest is rare, and while there are supporters and opponents to his view and method, Sasin has put the dam in the spotlight. Just before he ended his march, Sasin chatted with Life about 10 things he learnt while walking 388km down the road.